Yeah, these characters are bigger than any one actor. I love RDJ as Stark. But I am first and foremost an IRON MAN fan. I just hope whoever the guy they get is that he doesn't try and ape RDJ's version of Stark. He should establish his own take on the character. We don't need any Brandon Routh's up in here.

I disagree. When it comes to action roles, Tom Cruise seems to just play the same character in every role. So it'd probably be the same here as well. Only when he's playing a bad guy like in Collateral or IWTV or comedy like Tropic Thunder does he seem to go beyond that.

I disagree. When it comes to action roles, Tom Cruise seems to just play the same character in every role. So it'd probably be the same here as well. Only when he's playing a bad guy like in Collateral or IWTV or comedy like Tropic Thunder does he seem to go beyond that.

What makes you think he couldn't pull off a Collateral level of performance as Tony Stark? I'd argue Cruise has more versatility than RDJ.

Actually, what threw me off about Jack Reacher was that he seemed to be more '70s/80s Clint Eastwood than Tom Cruise in it. I don't think he would make a good Tony though. I'd kind of like someone less known like Richard Coyle but they'd probably want a big name.

Too old now, but Cruise would have been great back when he was originally attached to Iron Man.

Tom Cruise would have been better as Captain America.

In my opinion, he definitely wouldn't be bland compare to Chris Evans.

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FANTASTIC FOUR"This is our chance to make a difference" - Sue Storm - The Invisible Woman"He's stronger than any of us but he's not stronger than all of us" - Reed Richards - Mr. Fantastic"We could these powers to help people" - Johnny Storm - The Human Torch"You can't fix this, nobody can" - Ben Grimm - The Thing

I say keep RDJ as Tony Stark and bring in a new character to wear the armor. You could retain Downey in a smaller role as a grizzled mentor and weapons designer to the new IM. If you want to keep the Stark name, Tony very likely has a previously unacknowledged adult son (or daughter) kicking around somewhere in the MCU.

I say keep RDJ as Tony Stark and bring in a new character to wear the armor. You could retain Downey in a smaller role as a grizzled mentor and weapons designer to the new IM. If you want to keep the Stark name, Tony very likely has a previously unacknowledged adult son (or daughter) kicking around somewhere in the MCU.

In my dream scenario, yes. A problem with a connected film universe is that a Tony Stark reboot with a younger actor impacts all of the characters with whom RDJ's Stark has had a prior relationship. Though I love Don Cheadle as an actor, I felt recasting Rhodey really hurt the sequel. Recasting Banner with Ruffalo didn't face this issue as Norton's character had no prior interactions with other MCU characters.

Additionally, RDJ's performance as IM has been so iconic I think the character's best chance for success after he leaves the series is to go in a completely different direction with a new character driving the suit.